ISRO’s 63rd PSLV mission (PSLV-C61/EOS-09) failed due to a technical malfunction during the third stage of the PSLV rocket.
- Since its first flight, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has failed only twice - inaugural flight in 1993 and again in 2017.
About PSLV-C61/EOS-09 Mission
- PSLV-C61 was meant to carry the EOS-09 (Earth Observation Satellite-09) into a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).
- It was launched from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
- EOS-09 is an advanced Earth observation satellite, equipped with C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology.
- Objective: To provide continuous and reliable remote sensing data for operational applications across various sectors.
- This satellite can capture high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface in any weather, day or night.
About PSLV
- It is India’s third-generation launch vehicle, developed by ISRO.
- It is a four-stage vehicle and first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
- Achieved first successful launch in October 1994 and earned the title “the workhorse of ISRO” for its consistent performance.
- Capable of launching satellites into LEO, Geosynchronous, and Geostationary orbits, like satellites from the IRNSS Constellation.
- Successfully launched major missions like Chandrayaan-1 (2008) and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft (2013).